CHILDREN at a York playgroup will say goodbye to its leader this month with a fancy-dress party.

Sarah Ackroyd is standing down from the role at Panda Playgroup in Copmanthorpe, having been involved for many years after attending sessions with her own children.

She became chair of its committee and a volunteer student before taking on the leader’s position.

She said: “It was a really tough decision to leave and the warm welcome I received at Panda as a new mum to the village is a memory which has stayed with me.”

Laura Barrett will take over as leader in September.